Celebrities clash openly over Women in Cinema Collective
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The debate centered on the role and effectiveness of the Women in Cinema Collective in addressing issues faced by women in the Malayalam film industry.
Bhagyalakshmi criticized the WCC, asserting that it has not provided adequate support to women in the industry. She expressed her dissatisfaction with the collective's efforts, suggesting that it has fallen short in its mission to advocate for women's rights within cinema.
In response, Parvathy defended the WCC, emphasizing its pivotal role in highlighting gender issues, particularly during the Hema Committee report's proceedings. She invited Bhagyalakshmi to join the collective, stating that it is a platform where anyone can speak openly and voice their concerns. Parvathy described the WCC as "a place to talk openly about anything. Anyone can come there and say what they want to say. Anyone who wants to criticize can also come there."
However, Bhagyalakshmi declined the invitation, citing past disagreements and her perception of the collective's selective approach. She remarked, "That's why I didn't come to WCC," indicating her reservations about the organization's inclusivity and effectiveness.
The Women in Cinema Collective was established in 2017 following a high-profile sexual assault case involving a prominent actress in the Malayalam film industry. The organization aims to bring social awareness against misogynistic practices and serves as a unified voice for the welfare of women artists by promoting gender-neutral practices in Malayalam cinema.
One of the WCC's significant achievements includes petitioning the Kerala High Court to ensure the formation of Internal Complaints Committees and the strict implementation of the Protection of Women from Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act, 2013, in all Malayalam film production units. The court's verdict mandating adherence to the PoSH Act in all film units marked a milestone for the collective.
The Hema Committee, formed by the state government to study the problems faced by women in the Malayalam film industry, was a direct result of the WCC's request to the Chief Minister. The committee submitted its report in December 2019, detailing various forms of exploitation faced by women in the industry, including sexual harassment by male actors. The report's release in August 2024 sparked significant discussions and highlighted the ongoing challenges within the industry.
Parvathy Thiruvothu, a founding member of the WCC, has been an outspoken advocate for gender equality and women's rights in cinema. She has previously criticized films for misogynistic content and has called upon senior actors to refrain from roles that perpetuate negative stereotypes. Her stance has often led to both support and backlash within the film fraternity.
Bhagyalakshmi, a veteran dubbing artist and actress, has been vocal about her perspectives on women's issues in cinema. She chairs the women's wing of the Film Employees Federation of Kerala , which was established as a platform for women technicians to voice their concerns. This wing is viewed by some as a parallel association to the WCC, aiming to address issues faced by women in the technical sectors of the film industry.
Bhagyalakshmi criticized the WCC, asserting that it has not provided adequate support to women in the industry. She expressed her dissatisfaction with the collective's efforts, suggesting that it has fallen short in its mission to advocate for women's rights within cinema.
In response, Parvathy defended the WCC, emphasizing its pivotal role in highlighting gender issues, particularly during the Hema Committee report's proceedings. She invited Bhagyalakshmi to join the collective, stating that it is a platform where anyone can speak openly and voice their concerns. Parvathy described the WCC as "a place to talk openly about anything. Anyone can come there and say what they want to say. Anyone who wants to criticize can also come there."
However, Bhagyalakshmi declined the invitation, citing past disagreements and her perception of the collective's selective approach. She remarked, "That's why I didn't come to WCC," indicating her reservations about the organization's inclusivity and effectiveness.
The Women in Cinema Collective was established in 2017 following a high-profile sexual assault case involving a prominent actress in the Malayalam film industry. The organization aims to bring social awareness against misogynistic practices and serves as a unified voice for the welfare of women artists by promoting gender-neutral practices in Malayalam cinema.
One of the WCC's significant achievements includes petitioning the Kerala High Court to ensure the formation of Internal Complaints Committees and the strict implementation of the Protection of Women from Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act, 2013, in all Malayalam film production units. The court's verdict mandating adherence to the PoSH Act in all film units marked a milestone for the collective.
The Hema Committee, formed by the state government to study the problems faced by women in the Malayalam film industry, was a direct result of the WCC's request to the Chief Minister. The committee submitted its report in December 2019, detailing various forms of exploitation faced by women in the industry, including sexual harassment by male actors. The report's release in August 2024 sparked significant discussions and highlighted the ongoing challenges within the industry.
Parvathy Thiruvothu, a founding member of the WCC, has been an outspoken advocate for gender equality and women's rights in cinema. She has previously criticized films for misogynistic content and has called upon senior actors to refrain from roles that perpetuate negative stereotypes. Her stance has often led to both support and backlash within the film fraternity.
Bhagyalakshmi, a veteran dubbing artist and actress, has been vocal about her perspectives on women's issues in cinema. She chairs the women's wing of the Film Employees Federation of Kerala , which was established as a platform for women technicians to voice their concerns. This wing is viewed by some as a parallel association to the WCC, aiming to address issues faced by women in the technical sectors of the film industry.
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